Forces and Movement

Forces (examples)

Friction, thrust, drag (water/air resistence), gravity, weight, upthrust, lift, magnetic force and tension.

Gravatational potential (energy) (the higehr you go the stronger gravity is)

Contact vs Non-Contact forces

Contact force: Includes a force between two objects in contact, like friction

Non-Contact force: Involves a force between two object that are not touching, for example, magnetic force.

Friction and Lubricants

Friction is the force between two touching objects. It can slow things down or make things stay still. Friction can be useful for helping a racecar to stay on track or for walking on a pavement. But sometimes you do not want friction like when you are sliding down a slide or when you are ice skating.

Lubricants are things that reduce friction, for example wax, oils or water.

For example,if you are trying to movce a bow across the floor, you can apply lubricants, or mop the floor/clear the way and even use wheels, you could also choose a smoother floor (if possible).

Balanced forces

Forces in opposite directions of the same size. Balanced forces means there will be no change in motion, if an object is at rest, it stays at rest, if the object is moving, it will continue to move at the same speed and in the same direction. No change in shape and no acceleration or deceleration.

Unbalanced forces 

Forces in opposite directions of different sizes. Unbalanced forces will result in a change in motion. Stationary objects will start moving. And objects in motion will accelerate or decelerate or change direction or even become stationary. It can also change change the shape (in some cases).

Force arrows

Force arrows shows us the size and direction of the force. Direction is shown with the arrow heads.

FORCES ACT IN PAIRS.